Uncommon Sense

Observations, essays, ramblings, thoughts and more from a slightly reformed New Yorker who has returned home to Ohio. A spiritual person having a human experience, writer, photographer, and public safety professional.

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Welcome to my site and thank you for reading. After many times thinking, if only I had a blog, well-- here we are. This blog will feature writings on a variety of topics from roadside food, to leadership in the fire service; politics; culture- gay, straight, and indifferent, my experiences in Ohio, New York and beyond; and much much more. It's my hope that you will find it interesting and that it stirs at least some thought and discussion. I am certain you wont always agree, but that is what its all about right? Oh and one more thing: The views expressed on this site are entirely my own. They do not reflect in anyway the views or positions of my employer.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

When people talk about the need for additional fire stations in Columbus, I don't think they realize just how big the scale of the issue is. Much like in the late 1880s and the late 1950s, Columbus finds itself needing at least ten new fire stations.

To provide some idea of where they are needed, check out the map this link: Proposed CFD Stations You will find some suggestions that might be new or perhaps controversial. Not the least of which is fixing the location of Station 28 and placing a new firehouse on the north end of Easton. Additional "in-fill" stations are identified for Marion-Franklin, Frank Road, and Trabue Road. As a reminder, in developed areas, the standard is that every address should be within 1.5 miles of a fire station.

In some of these cases, it may be time to work with surrounding departments to identify ways to cooperate on firehouse construction. For example, a new 12s could be built to house both CFD Station-12 and Franklin Township 192s. Same on Frank Road where a new firehouse could serve both the needs of Columbus and Station 193. In the growing area west of Station-34, located not far from a proposed Washington Township fire station, a cooperative effort may also be the way to go.

No matter how the solution is reached, however, Columbus is far behind in its need to add fire stations in both the outlying areas of the city as well as some of the urban core. The impending construction of Station 35 on Waggoner Road is a start, but it must be followed up by a concerted effort to catch-up or response times to fires and emergencies, as well as dependency on mutual aid partners, will only increase.

Monday, November 14, 2016

After being asked a few times since my return home about things that CFD could potentially do to address some of the current challenges I jotted down a few ideas. Some are old and familiar to those who have followed me. Others may be new.

But, what I would like to start by saying is this: The CFD does an amazing job and has an excellent group of women and men who are among the best Firefighters and Paramedics in this nation. Nothing that I ever write should ever be construed as me suggesting otherwise. I only offer my ideas because of my unique background and the experiences I have had over my twenty plus years in Public Safety.

When you dispatch in the busiest department in the country and for some of the craziest days in that busiest department's history, you learn a few things. And I feel those things are worth sharing. Even more than from the busy days, I have learned from my mentors in the fire service. Many of whom served right here in Columbus. It is from them I learned how to do relocations, even before I made it to the FDNY. It is from conversations with "Township Medics" that I first learned about the importance of having a priority based EMS system, and it was from a few really nasty Central Ohio Thunderstorms that I first learned about resource management.

Take these suggestions as you will. Hopefully they start a conversation. The one truth that is inescapable is that Columbus will keep growing, the calls will keep coming and that some improvements in the System will yield positive dividends for responders and the public.

1)Move away from AVL based dispatching, especially
for BLS EMS Runs

a.Reporting should be divided into a more precise number
of segments

i.BLS, ALS, Other, Structure Fire, Non Structure
Fire

ii.Assignment of BLS and other should be to a CFD
unit unless the CFD unit is greater than 10 minutes away

b.Personnel should be trained not to assign
township medics to city runs when those units are coming out of a hospital far
from their service area)

c.MCI units should be assigned additional medics
that are close but that do not deplete resources in an entire area of
town. (assign every other medic, or
assign from different areas of the city)

2)Switch to ETA based assignments—which include average
time of dispatch for Automatic Aid Units—improving response time and reducing reliance
and dependency

3)Improve Move-Up Functionality

a.Only move up when companies are long term out of
service (> 30 minutes)

b.Utilize “1 in 3” rule (when 3 adjacent like type
units are not available long term—move up one unit to cover that area)

c.Do not assign move-up companies to the original
incident unless there is a critical life safety need

b.Agreements should be established to house CFD
units at county stations until city stations can be built in underserved areas

6)Utilize the 800 Series Units to “Move-Up” into
areas with depleted resources

a.In the event that several adjacent medic units
are transporting, the 800 series units can be redeployed to serve those areas
without depleting resources

7)Remove Engines from Difficulty Breathing and
Chest-Pain Call-Types

8)Improve coordination and management of resources
as well as firefighter safety by streamlining radio channel operations

a.Introduce Fire Operations Channel and EMS Operations
Channel

b.All Units will stay on these channels at all
times

c.Runs will be “aired” only one time—unless unit
has not acknowledged

d.Fire Units will switch to assign Tac Talkgroup
on arrival at scene.

e.Fire and EMS Voice Dispatch (Locution) will be
for the benefit of stations only

9)Alarm Office Personnel should be more consistently
assigned to the FAO—“part-time” dispatching is not effective in a large city environment—this
could include a regular rotation with gaps filled by Overtime

10)CAD programming should be enhanced to take advantage
of:

a.Redirection of units to higher-priority units

b.The display of a large map with firehouses,
units and active incidents so that dispatchers and officers have improved
spatial awareness and an understanding of the impact of incidents on response
time.

Friday, September 30, 2016

After frequently offering suggestions on how Columbus Fire could potentially tweak and improve its service delivery model, it just wouldn't be right if I didn't take a moment to comment on the recently released "potential ladder company moves". This is a good discussion and I am glad to see it happening. This is especially true given that I helped write a CFD ladder company study in 1997. Some of that study's recomendations are being mentioned in the current report.

However, Columbus is a much different city today than it was then. People are moving downtown in droves, the short north and arena districts are many times more populated with almost constant new construction. In addition, the development in the outer edges of Columbus has slowed just a bit. Gone are the days of massive large annexations, although what does exist and what is being proposed in areas like the northeast side (Hamilton Rd &. 161); the Southeast Side (Gender and Lehman) and the far west side (Galloway Road) pose serious challenges to ensure proper fire protection.

The bottom line is that CFD can not "rob peter to pay paul" when it comes to Fire Protection. With the exception of a couple of medic units, most companies are where they need to be given the current fire facility locations.

This is most apparent in the talk about moving L1 to 7s; L13 to 19s; and L24 to 6s. Not only would that take one of two Ladders out of the ever more densely constructed downtown and short north, it would creat a massive ladder service hole centered on one of the busiest fire activity sections of the city. A fire at Hudson St and Cleveland Avenues for example would have a significant delay for Ladder Service. As would the surrounding areas.

An alternative would be:

Move Ladder-1 to 7 (not ideal)

Move Ladder-13 to 16

Move Ladder-24 to 6

Move Ladder-27 to 11

Note, of all the potential Ladder moves, moving Ladder 27 to 11s is by far the most benefical for the city, IF Ladder-34 is not going to return. In fact, if not a single other move were made (which may be the best move) moving the Ladder from 27s to 11 would be worth considering. This puts the ladder in the middle of the service area, allows it to cover 34s area (somewhat) and the Olentangy River Road area.

Turning to the Northeast Side. With the massive development coming to Hamilton and 161, the process of building Station 36 should begin as soon as possible. This station, when completed, should have a Ladder. There is no other way around it.

On the east side, the Ladder at 5 should stay at 5. It is in an excellent location for fire protection and to provide rescue services on 270/70/ and east broad street. Putting this ladder on Waggoner Road would, in my opinion, be a waste. The city can not grow further east or much to the north. Most of a Ladder-35s runs would be back towards 5s- might as well leave it in the best position.

More suggestions will follow, but I would encourage CFD folks to at least think about whats offerered here. Either way, its good to see CFD starting to address the challenges of a city that is growing faster than its fire and ems service.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

It has been too long. But I have a really good reason. A big move. The end of a relationship. The purchase of my first home. The feeling that every single thing in my world was in motion at the exact same time. Not a bad thing. I suppose it could be called exhilarating or at least that will be my word choice. I am certain some would call it fear. Perhaps most would.

And in the midst of this whirlwind of difference, what session did I end up having to present, last minute, at the recent NENA conference in Indianapolis? Out of 101 sessions, which was the one requiring my intervention lest it have to be cancelled? Change Management of course.

Standing in a room of about fifty people, helping them see how to manage the unexpected opportunities of their professional and personal lives, what I really performed was a public self service. Fifty-six minutes of reminders and assists. Passionate declaration of the fact that all happens for a reason. That some things are only for a season. And that we have a role to play if only we choose to take the stage. Any stage. I think I only looked at the power-point a handful of times. I didn't look at the instructor notes at all. I doubt anyone noticed.

There are moments where the stage might be big, with an audience of friends, family and strangers filling a great hall. There are others were the stage may be a small room, with an audience and cast of one. No matter, when the time comes, we are judged, if we are judged, not by how well we followed the script (hint, there is no script) but how well we acted our part. How true we were to our character. The drama critic will silently ask and scribble an answer to whether we lived up to who we were brought here to be. Did we take the chances? Did we dream our dreams while awake? Did we try to make our world to the image of something greater?

If we know that the change we are living is to that end. If we know that the missteps and the backtracks, the tears and the smiles are all a part of that mission to be ourselves, to live ourselves, then nothing else really matters. As the British say, "A change is as good as a rest". Well friends, here we are. Another place on the journey. And sitting on my front porch, coffee in hand, trying to figure out what that one birdsong is that is so distinctive from the others, I can safely say, I am on my path. But,if you truly believe all things happen for a reason, if you truly have faith, then you know that you never really leave the path. We only sometimes forget to see it. And change is really just a different view.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

You hear it in a variety of circumstances. Sometimes its the answer to: "why do we do it that way?" Sometimes its a response to a proposed action that goes a little far outside the box, requiring a Supervisor's approval. Other times its said with the shrugged shoulders symptomatic of a career of frustration, indifference, or passing the buck.

I would venture to suggest that it is reflective of much more than one person's potentially defective style of supervision. If anything, it is the canary in the coal mine language that serves as a flashing neon sign screaming: "there may be serious management or leadership problems here".

What phrase does all this and more?

"That's above my paygrade."

I can imagine no circumstance where that is a truly valuable or appropriate answer to a question or suggestion. In truth, it is a cop-out. Engineered to absolve the user from any obligation to either a) make a decision themselves b) route the suggestion/question to the proper person 3) or provide a proper explanation of why things are the way they are.

Think about it like this. You are sitting at your local physician. You are curious about a new lump that suddenly arrived on your anatomy. Likely not serious, but still annoying. You ask the doctor about i and get: "thats above my paygrade!" What confidence does that instill in you about their knowledge or their ability? I think we all know by now there are chains of command in every institution. There are processes to follow.

But to just throw in the towel. What kind of respect will that earn you? After all, even if you don't know an answer, or arent authorized to make it, shouldn't the next step to be take it to someone who is able?

How about some pride. How about some ownership? If the question is silly or has been tried or really shouldn't be escalated, then explain right there and then what's up. Do not take the easy way out.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

I have to confess that I am surprised that this may be a revelation for some centers. Granted, it may be a policy issue and not a dispatcher issue, but it seems like common sense:

(Part 1) Verify that the units you have sent to the assignment are actually going.

(Part 2) If they are not responding in a pre-determined amount of time, replace them!

This should not require permission from an IC or some sort of special papal dispensation. It is truly a matter of common sense. The next step, after replacing the missing in action unit, is to notify the responding IC or the other unit (if there is one) that you were unable to verify the other unit and have replaced them with Unit XXX.

Some examples:

You assign two patrol units to a disturbance. The first unit acknowledges the call on their MDC. The second does not. Ten seconds later, you call the unit on the radio and they do not respond. Call one more time. Wait ten seconds. Then assign the next closest car. Immediately after, notify the first unit of the change. This is a safety issue that may impact the actions of the first car. Whether their back-up is coming from one minute or ten minutes away could have a significant impact on whether they go directly into the location, or wait.

You dispatch three engines to a fire along with a Battalion Chief. The second due engine does not acknowledge their run. You must replace them, AND notify both the IC AND the second due engine of the change in assignment. In many areas, the second due engine is responsible for water supply. The third due has a different role on the scene of the fire. Disaster could ensue if the third due engine is not aware that they must now assume the role of water supply. Granted, your procedures may be different, but this is just one situation where replacement and advisement are very important.

The same situation could exist on an EMS run, where a BLS unit would wait on the scene if the originally assigned paramedic unit was coming from five minutes away. However, with a critical patient, a hospital ten minutes away, and the paramedic unit coming from twenty minutes away, the EMTs may decide to transport immediately.

In all of these cases it comes down to taking the simple steps to ensure the most effective outcome. Verify assigned units are responding, take the correct action if they are not, and ensure that the people who need to know- KNOW. Dispatchers can play a very important role in ensuring effective and timely response of units, no matter what the emergency and its starts with verifying that response.

Although this particular topic is directed more at the
managers and directors of 9-1-1 centers, addressing this issue starts
with dispatchers and the important nuances of how the job actually gets
done.For those centers who have
call-taking, dispatch, and supervision on the same floor or in the same building,far too little thought is
given to how the physical arrangement of the working positions either
contributes to success or failure.

Here is the first problem.Too many “modern” centers make too many incorrect assumptions about how
we work.Or they think that technology will
bring about changes in how we communicate.Case in point: having all of the dispatch positions facing a giant wall of
TV monitors.Yes, it looks like some
cool scene out of a movie.Yes, it gets
more gizmos and wizbangs into the center.But I know of no dispatch center were the personnel spend a large amount
of time watching those screens.

Should they be there, perhaps.But the most important information for
dispatchers should be visible from their position while they sit normally.Ideally, if an alert, it should appear
visually and audibly.Distracting
personnel with giant screens is a good first step towards diminishing the
effectiveness of the center.The best
information to put on those screens are things that should be glanced at once
in a while or that relate to everyone on the floor- such as weather maps,
traffic cameras, or the overtime list.These do not need to be front and center, just visible.Far more important is to have easy
visibility, at the position, of the active incidents, radio, and CAD while not
isolating the dispatchers from each other.

The next big problem. Many agencies try to use electronic messaging as a replacement for old
fashioned communication by voice or sight.Although CAD to CAD messages are an important tool, especially in large
centers, there is no replacement for line of sight or proximate
communication.Being able to look at, learn
over, or lean back to speak to a coworker is important beyond all
description. This is much more "human", much more effective, and has a much lower failure rate than being forced to route simple questions through a computer system.

The next big problem: we are not going paperless. I'm sorry but its just not going to happen. We need scrap paper, we need maps, and we need places to write important information. Now, there shouldn't be 2,000 post-it-notes on the monitor, but there is a happy place where the necessary information is documented and we maintain our effectiveness.

Along the same line, we must have an adequate
amount of workspace, but we must also have everyone close enough that they can
support each other when required.This
allows a more effective team based approach to the mission, instead of
individual islands of Dispatchers all doing their own thing.There are multiple ways to accomplish this
and it depends on how many personnel are working, what job they are doing, and
building constraints but facilitating “old fashioned communication and teamwork” should be a
major goal of any 9-1-1 center position design.

Speaking of positions, another disturbing trend is for more and
more monitors crammed onto the desks.This has to end.No dispatcher
can be expected to be actively or effectively engaged with more than three or
four screens at their positions.Directors need to make harsh decisions about what really needs to be on
the position and what needs to go.Vendors in the 9-1-1 space can help this effort with greater integration
of software and technology, which saves having to have monitors by system.Instead, we should be able to have our
monitors arranged by function, a process that could radically improve the
effectiveness of dispatchers and lessen the number of critical mistakes.

Returning to the floor plan, more centers should also offer
tables on the floor.Having a simple eight-foot
table next to dispatch area can serve both training and meal needs, keeping
food away from the expensive stuff, but keeping personnel close enough to still
be “in-the-mix”.

In the end, it all comes down to the facility and the
technology meeting the needs of the Dispatchers and the Operation, not the
reverse.Too often, Dispatchers and
Supervisors are not even invited to the planning discussions. This is
unacceptable.No fire chief, police
chief, ems director, or IT director would allow a new facility, police car, fire
truck, or ambulance to be designed and built without a clear understanding of
the mission or the needs of the user.When it comes to 9-1-1 centers the same should be true.So if your agency is planning a new building,
do everything you can to become involved in the process and help make sure that
what is built actually helps you work better.

Who is a leader inside the 9-1-1 Center? This question is one of the first I ask my students and their answers reveal a great deal about h...

Fall Scene

Words to Live by:

I began by saying that our history will be what we make it. If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge, and retribution will not limp in catching up with us.Edward R. Murrow-- RTNDA Convention, 1958